He can still play at a high level, as witnessed by his 57 total tackles the past two seasons.

Despite his age (35), Hampton thinks he still has some gas left in the tank. The problem is Hampton might take away too many snaps from the younger players on a squad the team is looking to develop for the future.

Shaun Cody, NT

Shaun Cody is an eight-year veteran (four with Detroit, four with Houston).

Cody should not be considered a threat to Cam Thomas, Kwame Geathers or Byron Jerideau. Then why bring in a defensive lineman with injury concerns?

Cody would be a veteran leader and voice to a very young nose tackle group with a total of five NFL starts.

The problem with adding Cody is it goes against general manager Tom Telesco’s philosophy of getting younger and faster. On the wrong side of 30 and with a history of injuries (back problems, broken ribs, punctured lungs), Cody should only be offered a contract if it is understood what his role would be on the defensive line.

Ma’ake Kemoeatu, NT

Ezra Shaw/Getty ImagesKemoeatu knows what it takes to win in the NFL.

Ma’ake Kemoeatu is older than Cody (34 compared to 30), but he knows how to win. At 6’5” and 345 pounds, Kemoeatu started in the middle of the defensive line for the Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens.

Like Cody, he should not be considered a threat to Thomas, Geathers or Jerideau, and like Cody, he should be considered a veteran presence for a young group.

Anyone with 136 professional games as an interior defensive lineman will have injuries, and Kemoeatu missed the entire 2009 season recovering from an Achilles tendon injury. He also took the entire 2011 season off in order to shed 70 pounds. When he returned, he beat out younger players for the starting nose tackle position with Baltimore.

If Kemoeatu can show that type of work ethic to the current crop of Chargers defensive linemen, it could pay dividends for years to come.

Sione Pouha, NT

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty ImagesPouha (91) has position versatility the Chargers have favored this offseason.

Are you starting to sense a theme?

That theme would be: “The Chargers need a veteran nose tackle.”

Sione Pouha was selected by the New York Jets in third round of the 2005 draft. Like Cody and Kemoeatu, Pouha has a major injury on his resume. The former Utah Ute had to sit out his entire second season in the NFL because of a knee injury.

Unlike Kemoeatu or Cody, Pouha has experience at defensive end as well as nose tackle. San Diego general manager Tom Telesco has shown a preference for free agents who can have position versatility, so that could work in Pouha’s favor.

Another aspect that could be a positive for Pouha is his faith.

Pouha is a devout Mormon. He is also of Tongan descent. Manti Te’o is also a devout Mormon and of Hawaiian heritage. There are other San Diego Chargers who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints (Eric Weddle), but the only player on the roster of Polynesian ancestry.

While it may seem a little silly to bring in a player based on his religion or heritage, the Chargers have gone out of their way to make Te’o feel at home. Pouha would not just be a mentor for Te’o. He could also play defensive end and nose tackle and help mentor the young d-linemen regardless of their beliefs or family tree.